|
| Composition | Silver (.925) |
|---|---|
| Weight | 19 g |
| Diameter | 22.5 mm |
Piedfort comes from the French pied-fort or Piefort which translates to heavy weight. It is used to describe a specially issued coin, which is thicker and heavier than the usual specifications. Piedfort coins are usually struck using the same dies as the standard coins. The diameter remains the same but they are greater thickness and weight of the standard precious metal coin, usually double. |
Northern Ireland
Series: Regional Bridge series
Fourth crowned portrait of HM Queen Elizabeth II right, wearing the Girls of Great Britain and Ireland tiara, legend around
Script: Latin
Lettering:
ELIZABETH·II·D·G REG·F·D·2006
IRB
Unabridged legend: Elizabeth II Dei Gratia Regina Fidei Defensatrix
Translation: Elizabeth the Second by the Grace of God Queen Defender of the Faith
Engraver: Ian Rank-Broadley
A representation of the Egyptian Arch railway bridge at Newry in Northern Ireland, inside a border of railway station canopy dags.
Script: Latin
Lettering: ONE POUND
Engraver: Edwina Ellis
Proof coins are struck using hand-finished dies. This means an expert will etch into the
metal die to produce a mirror image imprint, ready for a machine to stamp a blank coin
disc. The decision to hand-finish the dies means that there will be no imperfections
before a coin is produced.
The process for production sees a high-quality proof blank placed into a coin press. This
is done by hand. The coin is then struck six times, at the lowest speed and lowest pressure
of the three coin types. This avoids any blemishes, but for additional peace of mind the
operator will also clean the dies before and after usage with air, cleaning off any dust or
other particles.
This meticulous process means that it takes an hour to strike 50 proof coins – a stark
contrast with the 3,000 per hour rate for bullion silver coins – and the coin design dies
are sharpened and polished after every few hundred strikes.
The Royal Mint will only issue a small mintage of proof coins of each
type per year